Dissecting Dragons

Episode 238: Unpopular Opinion Time (part 1) - The Dragons' Hot Takes on Speculative Issues

The bookish, film and TV, and fan based communities are thriving - full of passionate individuals who are not afraid to speak their minds. The dragons appreciate this as they tend to do the same. On the other hand, no fandom of bookish community agrees on everything in totality. There needs to be room for many different opinions and, more importantly, mature disagreement. So this week, Jules and Madeleine bring you part one of a two part special, looking at SFF and speculative issues where the dragons don't agree with the masses - or occasionally, with each other. Nuance is important in storytelling? Is hate-reading useful? Not every character needs a 'fated mate'? Join us for lively discussions on these and more.

 

Title music: Ecstasy by Smiling Cynic

Episode 237: Sowing Prejudice - Accuracy and Research in Writing

We all love those amusing memes which say things like 'I'm a writer - I tell lies for a living' but as fun as those oversimplifications are, writers also have a duty to do due diligence and report accurately. This is especially true when the writer is portraying events or experiences different from their own where misinformation is already rife and their misreporting may do harm. If you're thinking 'but the dragons both write speculative fiction, what do you mean about accuracy?' - don't worry; this week Jules and Madeleine look at the problems around careless representation of sensitive issues, research and why it's actually fun, and how accuracy should play a part in whatever you right, regardless of genre.

 

Title music: Ecstasy by Smiling Cynic 

Dissecting Dragons: Episode 236: News from the Word Mines - What No-one tells Newbies about Writing and Publishing

This week the dragons take a look at the often deceptive world of publishing, together with what kind of marketing an author will be expected to do and how to go about it. Gathered in this podcast are the main bits of advice Jules and Madeleine wish they'd had at their fingertips when they started this writing malarkey. What does 'bestseller' really mean and how do you become one? How can you make your book attractive to potential buyers? How do you build a platform and where do you find your audience? All this and more in this week's episode.  

Dissecting Dragons: Episode 235: The Alchemy of Forever - Immortality in Speculative Fiction

The concept of eternal life is not a new trope in Speculative Fiction. Everything from the earliest oral tradition to the myths of the classical world to today's modern SFF engages with the idea. But what drives stories of this type and what causes us to flip the script and look at the disadvantages? This week, the dragons look at these questions and many others as they examine how the tropes of immortality and eternal life are treated in speculative fiction. Under the microscope this week - vampires, The Old Guard, Full Metal Alchemist and many more.

 

Title music: Ecstasy by Smiling Cynic

Dissecting Dragons: Episode 234: The Power Behind the Throne - the Hidden Voices of Political Change in Speculative Fiction

The dragons are delighted to welcome special guest, Somaiya Daud to this week's episode. Somaiya is the author of the 2018 hit YA sci-fi Mirage and the recently released follow up, Court of Lions. Her books look closely at those who effect change via political means but are often left out of the political narrative, which makes her the perfect guest for this week's topic. Politics and revolution are bread and butter tropes for SFF, both adult and YA, but often marginalised voices are left out, despite usually being part of the main driving force for change. This week Jules and Madeleine look at why this is and what is so alluring about a political thread in fantasy and science fiction. 

 

Title music: Ecstasy by Smiling Cynic

Dissecting Dragons: Episode 233: Hidden Cities & Forgotten Kingdoms - Lost Worlds in Speculative Fiction

A popular component of an adventure story is the discovery of a hidden or lost civilisation. Atlantis, Muir, Lyonesse and many other mythological cities and countries are rich fodder for writers of speculative fiction. This week the dragons delve into the possible explanations behind the myths and look at interesting gaps in historical record which might have given rise to stories of lost cities and continents, before taking a stroll through SFF which has used this source as inspiration. On the slab this week - Atlantis, Dinotopia and many more.

 

Title music: Ecstasy by Smiling Cynic

Episode 232: Murder Most Foul - Killing with Purpose in Speculative Fiction

Murder (in fiction) is not just a staple of crime and thriller novels. Sci-fi, Fantasy and Horror all often make use of a judicious killing too. So why exactly is murder a useful tool for driving a plot or adding complications? What are the dos and don'ts of adding murder to a story? This week Jules and Madeleine take a look at how this most serious of crimes is used most effectively in speculative fiction.  

 

Title Music: Ecstasy by Smiling Cynic

Dissecting Dragons: Episode 231: Writing for Relaxation - the Therapy of Putting Pen to Paper

It can be easy, if your aim is publication and especially if you are already published, to forget that not everything you write has to have a purpose other than sheer enjoyment. Sometimes getting out of your own way as a writer involves writing something you'd never show to anyone else, that you have no intention of submitting or publishing. And in 'interesting times' such as those we currently live in, writing can be a form of pure escapism, a type of therapy or an enjoyable amusement. This week the dragons talk about many of the different ways you can employ writing techniques to cope with depression, boredom, anxiety or even to problem solve. In addition, writing different formats and styles will hone your technique. Do you always overwrite? Try poetry or microfiction. Do you have difficulty evoking a sense of place? Try some exercises to engage your senses. Join Jules and Madeleine for a light and informative look at how writing can help you relax.

Episode 230: Growing Pains - the Coming of Age Narrative in Speculative Fiction

The 'coming of age' narrative is not restricted to literary or contemporary fiction. A surprising number of SFF authors - both of YA  and adult fiction - have tapped into this transitional period of a character's life to add another dimension to a story. In some cases, to actually drive the story. This week Jules and Madeleine take a look at what makes this narrative arc so appealing no matter what genre you're writing in. From 'teenager is used to drive a revolution' to 'the supernatural is interfering with my crucial life choices', the dragons examine the most usual coming of age tropes. On the slab this week - My Hero Academia, I Capture the Castle - Dodie Smith, The Karate Kid and many more.

 

Title Music: Ecstasy by Smiling Cynic

Episode 229: A Tale for Bards - Why Historical Fantasy Works

This week the dragons take a look at a specific genre mash-up which is increasing in popularity - Historical Fantasy. Unlike epic fantasy inspired by historical events, eg Game of Thrones, Historical Fantasy adds speculative elements to documented history and while it may feature invented characters, the unfolding of history remains fairly constant. Done well this sub-genre of both historical fiction and fantasy can provide an immersive reading experience, with a satisfyingly well built world, fascinating real historical events and speculative elements which can add to the escapism of the reading experience or even provide extra nuance or lighter moments. Under the microscope this week - Jonathan Strange and Mr Norell by Suzanna Clarke, The Diviners - Libba Bray, The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller, Grave Mercy by Robin LaFevers and many more.

 

Title music: Ecstasy by Smiling Cynic